Red Cross appeal for Georgia and Russian Federation
| The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has launched a preliminary appeal for $7.4 million (£3.9 million) to meet the emergency needs of around 50,000 people affected by the armed conflict involving Georgian, South Ossetian and Russian troops. | | |  | |
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The appeal will help provide surgical and other medical care for the wounded as well as emergency aid for people displaced in North Ossetia and Georgia, and civilians remaining in South Ossetia.
The ICRC is also continuing to seek access to all people captured or arrested in connection with the conflict. Earlier today it visited two Russian pilots who were wounded and are being held by the Georgian authorities.
Surgical support
A Red Cross surgical team is due to arrive in Georgia on 12 August to reinforce local surgical staff, in particular those working at Gori's civilian hospital. A field hospital is also being sent to help treat people who have been wounded in Georgia.
"Over the past few days the Red Cross has been able to visit hospitals in Alaguir, Ardon and Vladikavkaz, in the Russian Federation, and in Gori, Poti and Senaki in Georgia," said Dominik Stillhart, the organisation's deputy director of operations. "It's still too early to say how many people have been killed or injured by the fighting, but our visits to these hospitals confirm that local medical facilities are dealing with a large number of wounded and dead."
Emergency aid
Another top priority is to deliver relief to people who have been displaced or isolated by the conflict. As soon as possible, the Red Cross hopes to provide essential items such as blankets, hygiene materials and cooking pots, as well as to restore access to drinking water for people living in Tskhinvali. The organisation also intends to provide emergency assistance to people who have fled South Ossetia.
In the northern Caucasus, the Red Cross is co-ordinating with the authorities and other humanitarian organisations to provide emergency aid for families who have fled the fighting. This includes hygiene materials and special items for children.
Find out about contacting family members in Georgia
Donate to the ICRC's Caucasus Emergency Appeal
Make a donation to the British Red Cross Disaster Fund | |
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